Housing developer to reveal plans for former football stadium

Contracts have been exchanged in Doncaster Council’s sale of the former stadium to Barratt Homes Yorkshire East.

The site has been empty since Doncaster Rovers moved from the Bawtry Road ground to the Keepmoat Stadium at the end of 2006.

Coun Bob Johnson, Doncaster Council’s member for regeneration and Growth, said: “Barratt Homes’ purchase of the site will see this land, on one of the main routes into Doncaster, redeveloped.

“This is excellent news for Doncaster and it will be great to see the site, which is on a main access route, transformed.

“Doncaster Council look forward to working with and supporting Barratt Homes to where possible employ and train local people.”

The 8.85 acre Belle Vue site was home to Doncaster Rovers from the 1920s and was one of the first football grounds in the country to have floodlights, which were installed after the FA lifted the ban on matches being played under floodlights in 1950.

At one time the pitch was the biggest in the football league, measuring 119 yards by 79 yards, but it was reduced under the management of Billy Bremner in 1981.

Belle Vue was also the only ground in the country to have two tunnels for the players to run out of - home and away.

The last match there was played on December 23, 2006.

Paul Newman, managing director of Barratt Yorkshire East said; “We are honoured to be involved in delivering a future for this important site.

“This development will provide new high quality family homes and hundreds of jobs through the construction phase.

“This site further cements our commitment to investing in Doncaster and the town’s future.”

Barratt Yorkshire East is holding a public exhibition to discuss its plans for the site from 4pm tomorrow evening, in the conference room at Doncaster Dome.

A spokesman for Doncaster Council said that the houses are likely to be sought-after due to their position “overlooking the town’s beautiful racecourse”, home of the St Leger.

They added: “The land is close to excellent local amenities including a supermarket, leisure centre, cinema and new playground.”